And finally…Brits under siege from password deluge

According to a survey conducted by the Nationwide Building Society, the average Brit now has to remember six different passwords, while a quarter have over 10 passwords memorised.

Commenting on the research, James Smith, head of innovation at Nationwide Building Society, said: “While we all know it’s important to change our passwords regularly, this research highlights just how many different passwords people need to remember in an increasingly digital world. With 19 million logins a month on our mobile bank, ensuring Nationwide’s customers can access our services in a safe, secure and simple way is a key priority for the Society.”

As almost half of those surveyed admitted that there are now simply too many passwords to stay on top of, Nationwide Building Society’s Innovation Team is exploring what the future may hold for authentication with a new behavioural biometric prototype.

The prototype, developed in Nationwide’s Innovation Lab in partnership with BehavioSec and Unisys, explores how a customer’s natural interaction with their smartphone or tablet could provide an additional level of security in the future.

Behavioural biometrics recognise the unique features of an individual’s actions and interactions with the device, from the way that they type to how they touch and swipe between screens, and even the way the phone or tablet is held.

Mr Smith said: “The Society’s Innovation Team is exploring how authentication will continue to evolve and investigating new ways for members to access our services securely yet easily. Behavioural biometrics monitor the patterns and habits that are unique to each mobile banking user – everyone holds and interacts with their mobile device in a different way. The prototype provides an exciting insight into what the future may hold, as we investigate new ways to enhance security while offering an improved mobile banking experience. Exploring the future of authentication is part of our continued commitment to meet the changing needs of our 15 million customers, however they choose to interact with the Society.”